Combination table and tray and operating mechanism for conversion to one or the other



Aug. 14, 1956 T. R. SMITH ET A 2,758,899 COMBINATION TABLE AND TRAY AND OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CONVERSION TO ONE OR THE OTHER Filed Oct. 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l 25 53 b 33 33 33a 18 22 INVENTOR 19b Tho/770.) 1?, Shit/ U am emima/z ATTORNEYf 2, 758,899 ING MECHANISM OTHER 2 Sheejzs-Sheet 2 TRAY AND OPERAT T. R. SMITH ET AL AND COMBINATION TABLE FOR CONVERSION TO ONE OR THE Aug. 14, 1956 Filed Oct. 12, 1954 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS 7 37b 574' so,

Jameson Tim/m5 1 47 Z dam United States Patent COMBINATION TABLE AND TRAY AND OPERAT- ING MECHANISM FOR CONVERSION TO ONE OR THE OTHER Thomas R. Smith and William Jamieson, Stratford, Conn. Application October 12, 1954, Serial No. 461,866 16 Claims. (Cl. 311-87) This invention relates to a combination table and tray device and more particularly to a novel and unique operating mechanism for converting the device into a carrying tray or into a self-supporting table by a simple and natural manual sliding movement of a handle means.

Heretofore in devices having foldable leg means, the leg operating mechanisms, or locking means therefore, projected beyond the sides of the tray and were either independent of the handle means and remotely positioned therefrom so that a host or hostess, especially when carrying a loaded tray, was unable to actuate the leg mechanism without first setting down the tray, or operatively associated with the handle means so that the operator could actuate the leg members from tray-carrying position to a table form, or vice versa, by a difficult and unnatural or twisting hand movement. vices required operations and manipulations which are difficult, if not impossible to perform, especially when carrying a heavily loaded tray, because of the danger in upsetting the contents carried thereon, and always had the disadvantage of the handles projecting therefrom even when in table forming position.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a tray which can be loaded and carried in the usual way and then set down upon its own legs which are carried within itself and which are lowered by a simple and natural horizontal sliding movement of the handles, thus forming a table without danger of upsetting the contents thereon. The table thus formed can be reconverted into a tray by a simple and natural reverse movement of the handles.

An object of the invention is to provide a table-tray device which has the normal appearance of a tray, having projecting handles for carrying the same, or as a table, having supporting legs with the handle means concealed from view.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible table-tray having legs that are positvely secured and locked in either the raised concealed position or in the lowered supporting position.

This is accomplished by having a pair of handle means slidably mounted on the opposite ends of the top supporting surface wherein said handles are operatively connected to the leg members pivotally carried by the top surface so that a natural, simple, horizontal and simultaneously applied sliding movement of the handles inwardly will force the legs to pivot to a substantially vertical position for supporting the top surface in a table position and a simultaneously reverse sliding movement of the handles outwardly to carrying position will force the leg members to pivot to a horizontally stowed position so as to form a tray.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel connecting cam for pivoting the leg members in response to the sliding movement of the handle means which is simple in construction and inexpensively produced.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provi- These prior desion of a novel handle means, wherein the handles are obscured and out of sight when the device is in the table-supporting position.

Another feature is the provision of a novel and unique leg structure wherein a pair of legs are connected to a crosspiece which forms a stop for the leg members and further facilitates in distributing the weight carried by the device to the individual legs.

Another feature resides in the novel lock means for locking the legs in either the stowed position or the operative extended position requiring no change of grip or holding posture to raise or lower the legs or to lock or unlock the legs in position.

Another feature resides in the fact that the device is of relatively simple, sturdy, durable, and light construction, and is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Other advantages and features will be apparent from the specifications and claims when considered with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the combination table and tray utilized as a carrying tray.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the combination tray and table utilized as a table.

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view taken along line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional side view taken along line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is the bottom view showing the legs in the extended position.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the handle taken along line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section taken along line 77 of Fig. 5.

The invention as shown in the drawings comprises a combination table and tray which includes a top member or supporting surface 10 having leg members 11 and 12 pivotally mounted to the undersurface thereof and handles 13 at the ends thereof wherein the top-supporting surface it) functions as a portable tray when the handles project and the leg members are concealed in a horizontally stowed position, Figs. 1 and 4, and as a table wherein the handles 13 are concealed therein and the leg members are extended as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The top-supporting surface 10 comprises a top member 14 having a depending wall portion 15 around the marginal edges. As shown, this forms an enclosure for the leg members 11 and 12 to substantially conceal them from view when the device is used in the tray form. The depending wall portions at the opposite ends of the top surface are provided with a cut-out portion 16 for receiving therein slidably mounted handle means 13. If desired, the depending wall 15 may extend upwardly beyond the top member 14 a short distance to form a flange 17 around the edge of the supporting surface, thus forming a guard about the periphery of the top surface. Although the top-supporting surface may take any desired shape or form, the preferred embodiment is a rectangle which may be constructed of any suitable material that is durable and light in weight such as, for example, wood, plastic, or light metal.

For supporting the top member in the table position, a pair of leg members 11 and 12 are pivotally mounted on the underside thereof so that they may extend to a supporting position or to a horizontally stowed position. Although the leg structure may be made of various shapes and forms and of separable members fastened together, the preferred form of the invention provides for a leg construction that can be simply and easily bent from a single piece of stock material which is light in weight and easily worked. As herein illustrated, the legs comprise a pair of leg members wherein each member consists of a pair of legs 18 connected to a crosspiece 19. This crosspiece includes a pair of bearing porported thereon 'by supporting :plates '30.

tions 19a for pivotally mounting the leg members to the underside of the top member by means of bearing plates 20. The inner ends of the bearing portions are provided with a lateral ofise't portion 19b extending in the bearing plane when the legs are extended, the lateral offset portion forming a stop for the leg members by abutting the lower surface of the top member when the legs are in the table-supporting position. Legs 18 are connected to the outer end of the bearing portion and are angularly disposed thereto so that in the table forming position, the individual legs are inclined to the vertical plane adding rigidity and stability to the device. Thus, the weight of the supporting surface tends to hold the 'oifset portion 19b against the bottom of the top surface, thereby preventing folding of the legs when the legs are in the table forming position. The offset portion also aids in disiribu'ting the weight of the top member and the articles supported thereon to the individual legs 18. To move the legs from one posit-ion to the other a drive portion 190 is connected between the inner ends of the lateral oifset portion which is-operatively connected to-the handle means to be actuated thereby.

The handie'means 13 which are provided at the opposite ends of the top-supporting surface are slidably mounted so that a simultaneous sliding force applied to the handles in one direction will actuate the legs to an extended table-supporting position and a sliding force applied in the opposite direction will return the leg members to a horizontally-stowed tray-carrying position. In the illustrated form of the invention, the handle means are arranged so that the handles project beyond "the marginal portions of the supporting surface in the tray- "carrying position to facilitate carrying the tray and are concealed in the marginal depending wall portion of the supporting surface when the device is used in the .tablesupporting position so that the nuisance of projecting handles in the table position is eliminated.

in order to slidably support the handles adjacent the opposite ends 'of the supporting surface 10, a pair of spaced angle plates 21 forming a bracket are secured to the =undersurface of the top 14 adjacent the cut-out portion '16 of'the depending wall 15 "and forming therewith a channel passage 16a 'ifor receiving the handles. "The angle plates having depending walls which are provided with an elongated slot '22 horizontally disposed for slidably carrying and guiding a handle.

The handles '13 include .a'top member '23 and a front wall or handle shield "25 adapted to form a closure for thecut-out portion of the depending wall when *thedevlice is=utilized as a table and also agripby which the handles =may 'be grasped. A channel member =26 having 'a web portion 27a and depending side walls 271; is secured to the top of the handle and "forms therewith the handle frame. The depending walls 27b of the channel member 26 carry a pin 28 which engages the elongated slot 22 'of "the angle plate so that the handle frame 'is slidably mounted in the passageway formed by the angle plates '21. The top '23 of the handle frame bears against the bottom of the top supporting surface 14 so that the bearing-of the handle frame aga'instthe supporting surface and the'cooperating'pin-and-slot connection prevents the handle from rotating when extended beyond the marginal-portion ofthe supporting surface as the device is carried in the tray form.

To operatively connect the pivotal leg members to 'the -novel handle means so that the pivotal movement or the legs is responsive to the'sliding movement of 'the handles 13, novel connecting link means are provided including leg actuators 29. The leg actuator consists preferably 'of an elongate member 29a which is slidably mounted to the underside of the top surface and is sup- One end of the leg actuator is connected 'to the handle frame by any suitable means. In the illustrated ."form, the 'leg actuator has 'a notch 31 engaging'the opening 32 in 'a by pivoting the locking 4 portion of the web 27a extending beyond the top of the handle so that the sliding movement of the handle is transmitted to the leg actuator. The other end of the leg actuator is connected to the drive portion 19c.of the crosspiece 19 of the leg member supporting the top member at the end opposite the handle. Although the leg operator may be operatively connected to the leg members by means of .a rack, gears, .or the like, the illustrated embodiment provides fora novel and unique :camming element 33 connected to the leg actuator for changing the reciprocal .or sliding movement of the handles to pivotal movement of the legs.

As illustrated, .the .cam consists of an elongated loop 33a formed integral with the end of .the leg actuator and has an inclined slot 331) formed about the drive portion 1% of the crosspiece to engage the same. The diameter of the slot 33b formed by the loop 33a is slightly greater than the diameter of the drive portion 19c of the cross- :piece so that as the handle frames are moved, the corresponding movement .of the leg actuator displaces the loop carried thereon so :as to produce a .camming action between the inclined loop and drive portion. This camming action allows the leg members to :pivot from a horizontal stowed position to a supporting or operative position :as the handles are vmoved in and out. The leg members are slightly offset transversely, as shown in Fig. 5, to facilitate nesting of the leg members in the stowed position if desired, the:handles and the leg members 'operatively vconnected thereto can :belocked ineither the tray-forming position, or the table-forming position. While the lock may take :many forms, :in the preferred form of the inventionit comprises abell crank or Lwshaped locking lever 34 which is pivoted by .a lever hinge 35 :to the web portion 27a 'ofthe channel forming the roof :of the handle frame. One leg .of i118 locking lever 34a extends horizontally adjacent the roof of the handle .frame and the other leg 34b extends substantially perpendicular thereto adjacent the front or shield of the :handle 25 so that the operators finger tips may comfortably rest on said perpendicular leg-as he cups his *hand-about the handle shield .25 to grip the handles. The horizontally extended leg 34:: of the locking lever vhas xfixed thereto a locking pin 36 which projects through :and beyond the aperture 24 .inthe top 23 r of the handle frameand into spacedholes'in the bottom of the top-supporting member. The handle means are locked in either the tray-forming position or the tableforming position when the locking pin 36 projecting :through the aperture '24 of the handle frame member engages the proper -hole-inthe bottomof thesupporting-surface. lreferably, the bottom contains two-such holes 37a and 3%, one for'locking-the handle inthe extended position, Fig. 4, and one for locking the handle in the concealed position, Figs. 3 and 7. The openings are so arranged that the aperture 24 in'the top member 23 of the handle frame 'isaligned with the "openings 37a when the handles are in the extended or tray-carryingposition and is aligned withthe other 37 b-when the handle frames are retracted into *the'end wallsof-the top surface in the tablesupporting position. The handles are locked in either position by the lockingpin extending through the aperture 24 of the handleframe and projecting beyond the top thereof to engage *the holes 37a or 371; in the bottom If desired a locking pin-plate 38 having apertures 37can'd 37d, aligned'with the holes 37a and 371), respectively, ofthe bottom, may be disposed between the top-of the handle frame and the'bottorn of the supporting surface for insuring 'a more positive lock. Thus the locking pin'36' can be moved in and out of engagement with the holes 37a, 37b, 37c and 37d, lever 34'as shown inthe dotted lines in .Fig. 7'. The lever can be easily pivoted by the operator exerting 'a normal gripping force on the perpendicular leg of the locking lever .upon which his fingers are normally-resting in the carrying position.

A spring member 39 is disposed between the perpendicular leg of the lock lever and the handle shield for normally urging the locking pin into locking position when the operator releases the force on the perpendicular leg of the lever.

Thus when the handle means are extended and locked in the tray-carrying position, Figs. 1 and 4, the leg members 11 and 12 are also locked in horizontal stowed position and concealed from view within the depending wall portion around the top supporting surface. The handle means projecting beyond the marginal portion of the top supporting sur ace are sturdy and are prevented from a tendency to rotate by the pin and slot connection of the handle frame cooperating with the bearing of the handle frame against the bottom surface of the top-supporting member. Thus it will be seen that the handle frames are firmly maintained in the channel passage 16a. In this form a host or hostess can use the device as a tray, the handles 13 providing for a natural grip whereby the hands are cupped about the handle shield 25 with the finger tips inside the handle shield 25 and resting against the perpendicular portion 34b of the locking lever 34.

Should for any reason, the host or hostess desire to set the tray down upon its own legs, he simply presses the portion 34b of the locking lever 34 with his finger tips which are resting thereon without releasing or changing his grip on the tray handles. This depresses the spring 39 causing the lever 34 to pivot about the hinge 35 thereby lowering the locking pin 36 to disengage it from the opening in the receiving plate as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. With the locking pins disengaged, the handle frames are free to slide. The host or hostess then merely has to slide the handles inwardly, without changing his grip thereon, by horizontal simultaneous, symmetrical motion until the handle shields 25 are flush with the depending wall 15 of the supporting surface 19. As the handles are pushed inwardly toward the depending wall of the topsupporting surface, the leg actuator 29 connected to the handle means forces the cam 33 carried thereby to cam against the drive portion 19c pivoting the leg members to the extended position. Thus with the handles flush with the depending walls and the legs extended, the lever is released and the spring urges the locking pin into engagement with the other opening 370 of the receiving plate 38 thereby locking the legs in extended position. The lateral portions 195 of the crosspiece abut the underside of the top-supporting surface to stop the movement of the legs and to distribute the weight of the tray and contents carried thereon to the individual legs 13. Thus it will be noted that the handle means are completely concealed from view and the handle shield fills the cut-out portion of the depending wall giving it smooth and continuous appearance of a normal table.

To return the device to tray form, a reverse sliding movement is employed on the handles. The operator grips the handle shield 25 so that the finger L ps press against the.

lever 34b to apply pressure thereon, thereby pivoting the lever and releasing the locking pin from the receiving plate. He then slides the handles outwardly in a horizontal simultaneous sliding movement. This movement allows the leg actuator 29 carrying the cam 33 to pivot the legs to the stowed position. The pressure on the lever is then released permitting the spring to return the locking pin into locking position.

Thus it will be noted that the device has a normal appearance of a tray' or table and in converting from one;

to the other, the operator does not have to alter or release his grip on the handles. There are no difiicult, unnatural, or unusual hand or wrist motions for the operator to perform and there is no danger of spilling the contents transported on the device since there is no danger of tilting or turning of the device which was unavoidable in devices of this type heretofore known, as the handles are operated to actuate the legs.

It will be seen that the novel combination table and tray herein described is constructed of relatively few and;

simple components which are easily manufactured and assembled to provide a novel and sturdy device having a variety of uses.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

We claim:

1. A combination tray and table comprising a top member, leg members pivotally secured to said member, and handle means slidably mounted on opposite sides of said top for movement between a retracted position flush with the marginal portion of said top member and a projecting position extending beyond the marginal portions of said top member and cooperating with said leg members to actuate said leg members to a table-supporting position when the handle means are moved in flush position with the marginal portion of the top and to a retracted and folded position when the said handle means are projected to extend beyond the marginal portion of the top in the tray-carrying position.

2. A combination tray and table comprising a top member, leg members pivotally secured to said member, and handle means slidably mounted on opposite sides of said top and adapted to move between positions wherein the handle means lies in or projects beyond the marginal portions of the top, said handle means cooperating with said leg members to actuate said leg members to a tablesupporting position when the handle means are flush with and concealed in the marginal portion of the top and to a retracted and folded position when the said handle means are projected beyond the marginal portion of the top in the tray-carrying position.

3. A combination tray and table comprising a top member having marginal portions, leg members pivotally secured to said member, handle frames slidably mounted on opposite ends of the top member and adapted to move between positions wherein the handle lies in or projects beyond the marginal portions of the top, and means operatively connecting said handle frames to said leg members, and cooperating to actuate said leg members to a table-supporting position when the handle means are moved into a flush and concealed table-forming position in the marginal portion of the top and to a retracted and folded position when the said handle means are moved to a projected position beyond the marginal portion of the top in a tray-forming position.

4. A combination tray and table comprising a top member having a depending marginal portion forming an enclosure, leg members pivotally secured to said member within the enclosure, handle frames slidably mounted on opposite ends of the top member and adapted to move between positions wherein the handle frames lie in or project beyond the depending marginal portions of the top, and means operatively connecting said handle frames to said leg members and cooperating to actuate said leg members to a table-supporting position when the handle means are moved into a flush and concealed table-forming position in the depending marginal portion of the top and to a retracted and folded position wherein the leg members are concealed within the enclosure when the said hande means are moved to a projected position beyond the marginal portion of the top in a tray-forming position.

5. A combination tray and table comprising a topsupporting surface, a pair of substantially U-shaped leg members pivotally secured to the underside of said top, slidable handle means mounted on opposite ends of said top and adapted to move between positions wherein the handle means lies in or projects beyond the marginal portions of the top thereof, means connecting a handle means with a leg member, said connecting means having an actuator to operate said leg members to a table-supporting position when the handle means are flush and concealed in the marginal portion of the top and to a retracted and folded position when the said handle means "handle frame having a '7 are projected beyond the marginal portion of the top in a tray-carrying position.

6. .ACOIllbillgfiQIl tray and table comprising a top surface, a pair of substantially U-shaped leg members having the closed end pivoted to the underside of the said top, handles slidably mounted to the top surface adjacent opposite .ends thereof, a leg operator connecting the handles to said leg members, said leg operator having a cam acting on the closed end of said U-shaped leg members for actuating said leg members to a table-supporting position 'when said handles are moved to a flush and concealed position in the edge of the top and for actuating said leg members to a horizontally folded position when saidfhandle frames are extended beyond the edge of the trap when in .the tray-carrying position.

7. A combination tray and table comprising a top, a pair of substantially U-shaped leg members pivotally secured adjacent the opposite ends thereof, slidable handle means mounted on said ends of said top and adapted to move between positions wherein the handle means lies in or projects "beyond the marginal portions of the top,

and means operatively connecting a handle means on one end of said top .to a leg member adjacent the OPPOSite end thereof to actuate said leg members to a table-supporting position when the handle means are flush and concealed in the marginal portion of the top and to retracted and folded position'when the said handlemeans are projected beyond the marginal portion of the top when in a tray-carrying position.

8. A combination tray and table comprising a top, a pair of substantially 'U-shaped leg members having the base of the U pivotally secured to the underside of the top, a portion of the base being laterally oifset to form a stop when the legs are in a table-supporting position, slida'ble handle means mounted on opposite sides of said tray and adapted to move between positions wherein the handle means 'lies in or projects beyond the marginal portions of the tray, and means connecting the handle means to the base of the U to actuate said leg members to a table-supporting position when the handle means are flush and concealed in the marginal portion of the tray and to a retracted and folded position when the said handle means are projected beyond the marginal portion of the top when in a tray-carrying position.

9. A combination table and tray device comprising a top surface, means for supporting said surface in the table forming position, handle means operatively connected to said supporting means, said handle means including a bracket secured to the ,top adjacent the opposite ends thereof, and handle frame slidably mounted in said 'bracketbeing adapted to slide from a retracted table-supporting position and ma projected tray-carrying position.

10. A combination tray and table device comprising a top surface, leg memberspivotedto the underside of the said top, handles including a'bracket having a slot, said bracket being secured to the underside of the top surface adjacent the opposite ends thereof, a handle frame having a pin engaging said slot for slidably mounting said frame on said bracket so that the "frame member slides aga instthe undersurface of the top surface, the pin and slot connection between the bracket and handle frame preventing the handle from rotating when the device is carried in the tray position; means connecting said-bracket so that a sliding movement of the handle frames actuates the .legs .to an extended table-supporting position :and to a retracted tray-carryingposition.

'11. A combination table and tray device comprising a top member having a .marginal portion, leg members pivotally secured to said member, and a ha'ndle frame having a front shield forming a grip by which the handle'maY'be grasped, said frame being slidably mounted on the ;opposite sides of said top and-adapted to move between positions wherein the handle me-ans lies -in -or projects beyond the -marg'i-nal portions of the top, said "locking means including a re- 1y offset portions at ceiving plate having a pair of spaced openings therein, said plate positioned "between the top member and the handle frame, the handle frame having an aperture therein adapted to be aligned with the openings in the receiving plate; a spring-pressed lever pivoted to the frame, said lever having a portion positioned adjacent the front shield so that the lever may be actuated incidental to the gripping of the handles, a locking pin carried by said lever and positioned thereon to project through the aperture of the frame and adapted to engage the openings of the receiving plate, so that the handle frames may be locked and unlocked by engaging and disengaging the lock pin from the openings in the receiving plate without releasing the grip of the handles, and means operative'ly connecting the handle to the leg members so that the leg members are responsive to the movement of the handle frames.

12. A combination table and tray comprising a top supporting surface, two pairs of legs pivoted to said surface for movement from a horizontal stowed position and to a substantially vertical operative position, each pair of legs having connected therebetween a crosspiece having an intermediate drive portion and having lateralthe ends of the said drive portion for connecting said crosspiece to said pairs of legs, said lateral offset portions providing a stop means for said legs when in the substantially vertical operative position, slidable handle frames mounted at opposite ends of the top supporting surface, means connecting the handle frame and the drive portion of the crosspiece of the legs so that movement of the handle frames causes a corresponding movement .of the legs.

13. A combination table and tray comprising a top supporting surface, two pairs of legs pivoted .to said surface for movement from a horizontal stowed position to a substantially vertical operative position, .each pair of legs having connected .therebetween a crosspiece having an intermediate .drive portion spaced intermediate the ends of the legs and between said pair of legs, and having laterally offset portions at the ends of the said ,drive portion for connecting said crosspiece to said pairs of legs, :said laterally offset portions abutting the under surface of the top providing a stop for the legs in a position inclined to the vertical when in the table-supporting position, wherein the weight of the supporting surface tends to hold the offset portion against the top surface, thereby preventing folding of the legs while in the table-supporting position, slidable handle frames mounted at opposite ends of the supporting surface, connecting means .connecting .the handle frame and the drive portion of the crosspiece of said pairs of legs so that a sliding movement of the handle frames causes a corresponding movement of said legs.

14. A combination table and tray comprising a top supporting surface, two pairs of legs pivoted to said surface for movement from a horizontal stowed position to a substantially vertical operative position, each pair of legs having connected therebetween a crosspiece having .an intermediate drive portion spaced intermediate the ends of the :legs and between said pair of legs, and having laterally offset portions at the ends of said drive portion for connecting said cross piece to said pairsof legs, said laterally offset portions abutting the undersuriface of the top-providing a stop for the legs in aiposition inclined to the vertical when in the table-supporting position, wherein the weight of the supporting surface tends .to hold the offset portion-against the top surface, there- :bY preventingfolding of-the legs while in the table-supslidable'ha-ndle frames mounted at opsurface, and connecting porting position, posite ends of the supporting :means comprising a rod member slidably mounted be- .neath vthe top ,and connected to the handles ,at one end thereof and having an inclined, elongated loop portion on theotherend.of-saidrod :for engaging the drive portion of the crosspiece wherein the sliding ;rnove1nent .of

the handles transmits the longitudinal movement thereof to the connecting rod so that the loop portion cams the drive portion of the crosspiece to rotate the leg members to operative or inoperative position.

15. A combination table and tray comprising a sup- ;porting surface provided with a depending enclosing Wall having a cut-out portion in opposite ends thereof, slidable handle frames mounted at opposite ends of the supporting surface adapted to slide in said cut-out portion, two pairs of legs pivoted to said surface in offset relationship for movement from a horizontal stowed position and to a substantially vertical operative position, each pair of legs having connected therebetween a crosspiece having an intermediate drive portion spaced intermediate the ends of the legs and between said pair of legs, and having laterally ofiset portions at the ends of said drive portion for connecting said crosspiece to said pairs of legs, said lateral offset portions providing a stop for said legs when in the substantially vertical operative position, leg operators connecting the handle frame and having camming means engaging the drive portion of the crosspiece so that a simultaneously sliding movement urging the handle frames into said cut-out portion so as to render them flush with said depending Wall portion causes the legs to pivot beyond the vertical position to a table supporting position and sliding said handles outwardly to project beyond the enclosing wall causes the said legs to nest in a horizontally stowed tray-carrying position, and lock means in said handle frames to lock said frames in either position.

16. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said lock means includes a receiving plate having a pair of openings therein corresponding to said positons, said plate located between the top and the handle frame, said handle frame having a hand grip and a top with an opening therein which is adapted to be aligned with the openings in the receiving plate, a spring pressed lever pivoted to the handle frame having a portion adjacent the hand grip whereby the lever and the hand grip may be grasped together, said lever carrying a locking pin on the end thereof and projecting through the opening of the handle frame so that said handle frame may be locked and unlocked in either position by engaging and disengaging the lock pin from the opening in the receiving plate by pressing the lever adjacent the grip as the frame handles are moved into either positions Without releasing the grasp on the handle grip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,217,266 Bilton Feb. 27, 1917 1,221,788 Bilton Apr. 3, 1917 2,213,681 Symmonds Sept. 3, 1940 2,223,068 Howe Nov. 26. 1940 2,593,471 Mayer Apr. 22, 1952 2,684,883 Wigell July 27, 1954 

